Did Tejashwi's Call to Boycott Bihar Elections Strike a Chord?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tejashwi Yadav challenges the Election Commission's integrity.
- Support from multiple political parties amplifies the call for action.
- Concerns about disenfranchisement of voters are paramount.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's legacy highlights the importance of voting rights.
- The potential boycott could reshape the electoral landscape in Bihar.
New Delhi, July 24 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has made headlines with his call to boycott the Bihar elections, citing the Election Commission of India's “biased” voter verification process. His appeal has gained traction among various Parliamentarians, with MPs from multiple parties voicing their support and criticizing the election body for allegedly favoring the ruling party.
In a recent interview with IANS, Tejashwi Yadav stated that if the ECI continues to disregard the concerns of the Opposition, his party and the INDIA bloc might consider withdrawing from the electoral competition entirely. “Boycott is an option, but we will deliberate on it. We will consult our alliance partners and the public before making a final decision,” he mentioned.
Several lawmakers from the Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena, and Congress have rallied behind him, condemning the ECI for allegedly manipulating voters' lists ahead of the elections.
SP MP Awadesh Prasad emphasized that the right to vote, granted by the Constitution's architect, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, must be defended vehemently against any attempts to disenfranchise voters.
“The current elections in Bihar underscore the BJP's intent to undermine democracy. They are trying to suppress the electorate's votes, which is absolutely unacceptable. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar empowered every citizen with the right to vote, and any assault on this right will face strong opposition,” stated the SP MP.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the ECI for allegedly “robbing” legitimate voters' rights under the guise of cleaning up the voters list and removing illegal immigrants.
“If the democratic process itself is flawed, what is the point of participating in such a skewed election? Tejashwi Yadav strongly articulated that it is our collective responsibility to meet the expectations of democracy and the hopes of the people of Bihar,” she asserted.
Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka remarked, “He (Tejashwi) is voicing his pain and frustration. We requested the Election Commission for a readable format of voters' lists from Maharashtra and Jharkhand, but it was denied. They altered the rules when we asked for video recording. In Bihar, the implementation of SIR threatens to disenfranchise over 52 lakh voters, which is utterly wrong.”
Meanwhile, RJD MLA Shamim Ahmad affirmed that the party stands firmly behind their leader.